Airtel Kenya buys 100 MHz of 3500 MHz spectrum for US$65m; parent's profit up 20.5%

Airtel Kenya has bought 100 MHz of spectrum in the 3500 MHz band for US$65 million on a 25-year term, its parent Airtel Africa said in its half-year report on 30 October 2026. The purchase followed approval from the Communications Authority of Kenya and was subject to standard conditions.

The report covers the six months to 30 September 2026.

In July 2022, Airtel Africa paid US$40 million for 60 MHz in the 2600 MHz band on a 15-year licence, the telecoms news site Connecting Africa reported on 25 July 2022.

Group profit after tax was US$452 million, against US$376 million in the same period a year earlier, a rise of 20.5%. Revenue rose 28.2% in reported currency to US$3,823 million, from US$2,982 million. In constant currency the increase was 20.8%.

Underlying EBITDA grew 32.8% to US$1,921 million. Basic earnings per share were 10.2 cents, against 8.3 cents. The board declared an interim dividend of 3.1 cents a share, payable on 11 December 2026 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 13 November 2026.

The group's customer base grew 11.6% to 193.9 million.

Airtel Africa reports Kenya within its East Africa region, so the figures below cover the whole region, not Kenya alone. East Africa revenue rose to US$1,777 million from US$1,425 million, an increase of 24.8% in reported currency and 18.2% in constant currency. Underlying EBITDA for the region was US$953 million, against US$756 million.

By product, East Africa data revenue rose to US$566 million from US$434 million. Voice revenue was US$593 million, against US$518 million. Mobile money revenue was US$615 million, against US$466 million, up 31.9% in reported currency and 20.5% in constant currency.

The region had 88.8 million customers, up 8.0% from 82.3 million. Of these, 44.1 million used mobile money, up 13.5% from 38.9 million. Average revenue per user was US$3.4, against US$3.0.

Airtel Mobile Commerce N.V., the group subsidiary that is the holding company of Airtel Money, was admitted to the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange on 14 October 2026. The listing offered 270 million existing shares, 10% of issued share capital, at £1.96 each. Airtel Africa sold no shares and kept its 77.85% stake.

The report also says construction of Airtel's data centre facilities in Kenya and Nigeria is continuing.

The group reports in US dollars. Reported-currency growth was higher than constant-currency growth because of currency appreciation in Nigeria and Zambia, the report says. Constant-currency figures use exchange rates prevailing on 31 March 2026.